i read ahmadinejad's original speech in farsi (iranian). he does not say israel should be wiped off the map. it is in the interest of some people to vilify him. i think the question needs to be asked why are they lying about that speech?

sam, london, uk

Everyone fears what they do not know. As such it is little wonder why your feel "terrified." Spend time learning about Islam. The return of Christ is foretold in the Qur'an, which in fact calls Christ 'Messiah'.

Ted Hamilton, Washington, DC, USA

Well, the Iranian president is just calling a spade a spade... If we consider ourselves 'christians' we certainly aren't living up to our teachings. Also, it is very scary when people start wanting to suppress freedom of speech and freedom of opinion... Worried about hearing the truth? Or thinking?

Jerry, Colorado, United States

I congratulate channel 4 for broadcasting Christmas message from Iranian president
Which shown channel 4 are for all race and wider community channel.

Rashel, Harrow, Middlesex

The utter lack of knowledge about Iran, and Ahmadinejad, that this article displays is very disturbing! Whatever happened with quality control?

Terciel Kirdef Ajasram, London, UK

"Why is it that every time Ahmedinejad says something then every Western journalist says, "But he is a Holocaust-denier and Israel hater".
Because there is no more freedom of press in the West. Journalists do what they being told to or they get fired.

Oleg, Toronto, Canada

Thomas Goodey, it's either you or wikipedia missing the point.
The Twelvers believe in the 12 imams, the last of which is Imam al Mahdi, but ALL muslims, shiites and sunnis alike believe that the Mahdi will come at the end of times and Jesus will meet him, precisely in Syria.

Dhikra, Italy,

1. Ahmadinejad never said "Israel must be wiped off the map"
2. Israel doesn't ever say it will "wipe off its neighbours off the map" - but it has attacked all of them for decades using brute force. 1400 civilians were killed in the summer of 2006 in the Lebanon, of which 400 were children.

Jebem Ti, Majmune, Croatia

Why are you terrified ? You are not being bombed daily or your country has not been invaded in the name of peace ? Your land has not been taken to make a state based upon religon? your economy, fuel, food is not being controlled by a state which opposes your existance. maybe the truth is terrifying

imran khan, Birmingham, Uk

Mr. Ahmadinejad holds the view that Mohandes Gandhi held and that I hold: taking land away from Arabs to create Israel was a crime against humanity. Perhaps Ms. Gledhill has to raise her head out of the morass of pro-Israel propaganda so she can see some light.

Arik Silverman, Milwaukee, USA

You are terrified? Is the Israeli (or US) Air Force dropping bombs on your neighborhood and killing you and your family? Your home been bulldozed and your land taken by persons from another country claiming God gave them this right? Count your blessings you're not Palestinian and sleep tight, Luv!

Tony Mangusta, Ny City, USA

Why can't we just be happy that he said something nice instead of trying to scare people by re-hashing quotes from the past?
Why is it that every time Ahmedinejad says something then every Western journalist says, "But he is a Holocaust-denier and Israel hater".
I say, "Enough. Let him speak."

marc, stockholm,

It is ridiculous to give Channel 4 credit for any good intentions. It is part of a deliberately destructive adversary culture, dedicated to wrecking British and Western beliefs, traditions and values, Christianity first of all.

Karsten Dunstan, Perth, Australia

Fair enough. Now, can we have Jewish, Christian, Zoroastrian leaders equal access to Iran TV channels, with equal freedom to express their opinion?

T. Varadaraj, Bangalore, India

"We believe Jesus Christ will return, together with one of the children of [the] revered messenger of Islam..." You are all missing the point. This is a declaration of the future return of the Hidden Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi . Ahmedinejad is proclaiming the Twelfther doctrine. See wikipedia.

Thomas Goodey, Cuxton-upon-Medway, ENGLAND

Fear of Christians/Muslims et al

I fear religious dogma/religious fundamentalists and censorship more than any one man's comments. Many religions have committed atrocities in the name of their deity which they conveniently forget, even though they are quite happy to point out everyone else's.

GJ, Sydney,

Well said, Ruth. Ahmadinejad is right about some of the failings of the West (which we need to address) but he is part of a deceived system that teaches hatred of Jews and westerners and desires to crush them.

Tim, Worcester, UK

Yes, it has been said by Dhikra, but the Islamic position is quite clear in the matter: Christ will return to defeat evil forces and will endure combat in war. the difference betweem the Muslim and Christian beliefs is that Islam takes Christ as a messenger of God , like Abraham, Moses, Mohammed,etc

John Stanley, London, UK

What's the problem? Or dont we believe in free speech?

David, Essex, UK

Its a free country, or was the last time I checked...

John Taylor, London,

How Christians are treated in Iran, and how Muslims are treated in the West, makes an instructive contrast. Some Muslims may feel looked down on or misunderstood in Britain; but no-one is killing them, or forcing them to convert to something else.

We are right to be more than wary of Ahmadinejad.

Andy Jones, Durham, UK

The "wipe Israel off the map" phrase and a number of others which are oft repeated in the media and attributed to Ahmedinejad are not accurate. This phrase for example was discredited long ago now as a mistranslation and if you do some web research you can easily find the facts. Think for yourself.

Aaron, London, UK

Thank God common sense has prevailed in the responses. People are waking up to the fact that the real threat to world peace is US imperialism, not the encircled, threatened Iranians. Our government has shown how intolerant it really is in its reaction. Boycott Israel, bob.

Mark, Beijing, China

Frankly, I preferred 'Undercover Mosque'.

Joe, Manchester,

Sir, you rightly hint at the alliance between Britain, Israel and the US. However, this is the opposite of Christianity. If anything, Jesus would have been in favour of the Palestinans, as Abbe Pierre was. Ahmadinejad's election is a reaction to the arrogant behaviour of the Bush Adm over 8 yr

Vandad, Paris, France

Just for the sake of correct information:
every single devout Muslim believes that Jesus will return on earth, defeat the evil and reign on earth peacefully.
It's Islam that teaches that, no need to embrace any theory on the book of Revelation.

Dhikra, Italy,

Why are so many Christians so terrified to hear other opinions? Afraid they may hear the truth? I've studied Mr. Ahmedinejad's speeches and writings and they seem quite reasonable. Name one thing Bush has done that is in line with Christ's teachings. I haven't been able to find one thing yet.

L. Gayle, seattle, usa

I have stopped using the term "Judeo-Christian" heritage and instead use the more accurate "Judeo-Islamic" heritage. I started this after reading the Holy Books of the three faiths. The Koran and Torah are similar in very many points, while neither bears any resemblance to the Gospels.

Arik Silverman, Milwaukee, USA

channel 4 wasnt trying to be christian and Iran is nobody's "enemy", who did they ever invade/bomb/occupy?

the negative reaction to his appearance amounts to the odd paradox in the western media: "we embrace free speech up to the point when we disagree with your point of view..."

angus, inverness, scotland

I see that our government has "rebuked"Channel 4 for broadcasting President Ahmadinejab's Christmas message.

Is this really an attempt at censorship? Or is it just the usual Government windbag stuff? As a Christian I'm often terrified by our Government - but someone else already said that?

Chris May, Bristol, England/UK

I think the fact that the government scorned C4, as well as the necessity for hiding their programming until the final minute is indicative of a pernicious need to suppress dissent. I know Iran is worse, but we are supposed to be a "free" nation. Besides, we desperately need a balanced perspective.

Robert James Basil Duigan, Bedford, UK

Those who have commented here ought to reflect on how Jesus demonstrated love compared to the likes of Mr Ahmedinejad.For one who claims to support Christ you ought check out his government's treatment of those who convert or share their christian faith in Iran. Their suffering speaks for itself...

Stephen, Basingstoke, Hampshire

It is likely that Mr Ahmedinejad is delighted with the outrage he has caused here in the UK. But the very fact that he has been allowed to broadcast is a slap in the face to his OWN regime. There has been no state censorship, no public executions, and no victimisation as would be the case in Tehran.

Barry, Watford, UK

St Pauls Anglican Church in Tehran is part of the Church of Jerusalem, which in religious terms is far superior to the rabble called C of E. There are a number of synagogues in Iran. Both religions have been present for centuries. Pres of Iran is quite entitled to have a Xmas message. FCO ignorance!

John Ross, Chesham, UK

How about Mugabe next year? I'm sure he has his own messianic protestation of good will we'd all like to hear. And he too is part of an alternative political matrix, demonised and underrepresented in the West - a sad imbalance you must no doubt desire to redress. Merry Xmas - NOT.

kappa jay, tehran, iran

Ahmadinejad has made clear he expects Israel to fail as a state as a result of natural causes, including demographic trends, and not as a result of any military action. He points to the collapse of the USSR, and the end of the Apartheid regime in South Africa as historical precedents.

James Canning, Seattle, USA

"...Britain in world affairs is broadly aligned with the US and Israel, this makes Iran an enemy of sorts."
Bad logic Ruth.
"If the US is broadly aligned with Britain, this makes Iran just another country with which the world cooperates".
I am more afraid of Israeli and US sabre rattling.

John Higson, Great Kurstaton, England

Holocaust denial is historically baseless and clearly absurd, but does Ahmedinejad not have a point with his condemnation of the hypocrisy here? Europeans persecute Jews for centuries then collude with the Jews to persecute the hitherto innocent Palestinians? That's justice...

James, Key Largo, Florida, USA

You have no reason to be terrified but embrace others who may oppose you views , very convienuent to extract and take out of context views and draw your own conclusion , although not agreeing to some of his remark but overall message is one of brotherhood and justice which has been denied to people.

john, liverpool, uk

Israel wiped from the map...

Ahmedinejad said no such thing. He was quoting Khomeini who said "the illegal regime occupying Al-Quds (Jerusalem) will disappear / vanish from the pages of time / history", in the same way communism did without war or shots being fired. No mention of Israel or maps!

Jayne Marshall, Gerrards Cross, UK

boycott channel 4

bob, london,

Interesting but fragmented piece. more with personal staus quo than an attempt to understand. History is a journey only understood by open thought not selective use of facts not dogmas. Go far enough back , the family of Abraham has roots in the region of todays boogie man. All people of the book.

Alexander, Victoria, seychelles.

Christianity is and always will be a farce and so are all the other messed up religions. Muslims and Christians are reading from the same Hymn sheet can't you see that but everyone can convert...back to Paganism....be at one with nature and actually 'Care' for once in your lifetime......

paul, poole, GB